Surrounded by tree-lined hills, views of the San Francisco Bay, and located just a few miles from the shoreline, El Cerrito is a beautiful town in the Bay Area. The neighborhoods in El Cerrito reflect the town’s Mid-century charm and appeal; and although most of the homes look like they were built in the 1940s and 1950s, they have been updated to satisfy modern tastes! The area is rich in music history as well: El Cerrito is the birthplace of John Fogerty and the famous rock band known as Creedence Clearwater Revival.
El Cerrito is one of the most desirable places in the Bay Area. You’ll find many early education schools such as Children’s Garden Montessori and Keystone Motessori plus several great elementary schools like Madera and Fairmont, plus a number of elementary charter schools focusing on STEM and Arts (*schools subject to availability). El Cerrito is also home to Fred T. Korematsu Middle School* and El Cerrito High School*, as well as a number of local private and charter schools*. The community is ideally located for UC Berkeley* students and faculty. A short trip from the El Cerrito del Norte station can have you on campus in 20 minutes.
Whether you love golf, hiking, or several other outdoor activities, El Cerrito has an option for you. Berkeley Country Club has been a staple in the community for nearly 100 years, and its beautiful 18-hole golf course provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay Area Bridge. Hikers love Hillside Natural Area; provides over 100 acres of open grasslands, and is a great place to enjoy a dog. If you prefer to take your dog to a park where they can interact with other furry friends, El Cerrito has a number of dog parks and paths along the Ohlone Trail as well as an East Bay favorite in nearby Richmons called Point Isabel Dog Park.
With two BART stations– El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrtio Del Norte – as well as a number of transbay bus lines, El Cerrito is considered a fantastic San Francisco or Oakland commuter city. Enjoy direct BART trains to and from El Cerrito via the Richmond Line.
El Cerrito Plaza, located near the intersection of San Pablo Ave and Fairmount Avenue, serves several purposes. Aside from being a BART station, it is El Cerrito’s premier shopping center; stores include a Trader Joes, Lucky’s Supermarket, a CVS, a Verizon store, Joann’s Fabric, Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, Mechanics Bank, Daiso Japan, and several popular fast food restaurants. The El Cerrito Plaza area is a great hub to get your errands done in one spot. Grab a coffee at Pete’s while you drop off your packages at FedEX, get a haircut at Billy’s, get your car washed at Kaady, get a burger at Big Al’s, deposit a check at one of 3 banks, hit the Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays or from Trader Joes – all within the same sq ½ mile.
El Cerrito and the adjoining cities Albany and Richmond are a “foodies” paradise. Locals skip the bland national chains and opt for long standing local burger and dog joints like Big Al’s, Nation’s Giant Burgers (HQ’d in EL Cerrito), Red Onion Burgers, or nearby Philaburger Station. Some days feel right out of the 1950’s when residents can enjoy a Nation’s Giant Burger, then head across the street to check out a flick at the art deco Cerrito Theater (built in 1937).
Edging up against El Cerrito is also home to some of the best rated street food and “Taco Trucks” in the area, famous for Birria, Pupusas some top rated Burritos in the area. Just past the northwest border of El Cerrito on San Pablo, you have Tacos El Tucan featuring the ‘Big 6”’ Birria style “quesotaco.” And just a few blocks from El Cerrito Plaza, you can enjoy a libation at the Hotsy Totsy, then grab a delicious Burrito Al Pastor from Tacos El Autlense which is situated in the parking lot.
If you’re craving more than just fast food or street food, you will be amazed at the diverse array of local restaurants. Notable restaurants in El Cerrito include:
Mi Casa Grill; a new take on classic Mexican and Latin dishes, situated in a trendy (in a good way) setting.
Masa Tamales & Tacos: Incredible hand crafted latin food that became a favorite in Point Richmond, added a second location in El Cerrito.
Los Moles: A local favorite, creating one of the best Taco Tuesday buffets and Sunday Mole buffet spreads in the Bay Area.
Banana Leaf Thai: Great little local family owned and operated spot, with top rated curries.
Larb Thai Food & Tapas: One of the Bay Area’s highest rated Thai restaurants, locals and residents alike enjoy both the food and the atmosphere.
El Mono: Savor the flavors of authentic Peruvian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere while gazing at the artwork on the walls.
From great food and shopping to convenient access to public transit, plus scenic views at every turn, El Cerrito has it all!
*Any interested parties should verify school district and availability, as attendance and attending the closest school is not guaranteed.
**Open Homes has not investigated or verified the accuracy of any of these sources of information - buyer to verify.**
